Well, that is Christmas over and done with. Now we are in that strange period between Christmas and New Year where we have no idea what day it is, let alone what time it is. We have been living on our cold meats and various chocolates and sweeties for the past few days and I’m now at the point that I need to start planning meals.
All of the gifts have been delivered and received with much appreciation which makes the effort worth while. The children have been truly spoilt by all and I am thankful that they are loved by so many. We got an air fryer for Christmas so any suggestions or tips about what or how to cook with it would be much appreciated.
The house has returned to the condition it was in prior to Christmas which is always a relief.
I had been dreading Christmas this year. What with the new restrictions that were introduced shortly before, I was scared that it was going to be different and as a result it would be a negative experience.
However, for me, it was one of the most relaxed Christmases I have had in a long time. It was very enjoyable and I think that was because of everything that has happened over the past 12 months.
The pandemic has sucked but there have been positives. For example, we have not been able to spend as much time with the rest of the family that we would usually. As a result, I have a new appreciation for the little time that I have been able to spend with them.
In addition, I have been forced to accept that I cannot control every aspect of my life or that of my children. As a result of the situation we are all in I have had to adapt my way of responsibly raising my children. We have had to have some unprecedented conversations, such as explaining why we cannot give nanny or gran a kiss and cuddle when we see them or, why they were not able to go to school and spend time with their friends. I have tried and struggled to explain the situation in a way that is informative but not terrifying at the same time. I have also had to admit to my children that, despite what they may believe, I do not know all of the answers.
I don’t know about your children but the resilience that mine have demonstrated over the past 12 months astounds me. On Christmas Day it struck me how much they have grown and matured. In particular, my son, who turns 8 next month, was quiet and engaged with the different conversations that were happening. He seemed to find a little corner to play in whilst observing what was happening around him, listening and demonstrating what he has learned this year. The main skill that I believe my son has learnt this year is patience.
That is not to say that my daughter, who is 6, has not been on a similar journey because she has. She has not mastered patience as such but she did show that despite what may be happening around her, she can maintain her focus on whatever she puts her mind to. She spent a large part of Christmas Day colouring and drawing pictures. She has also spent some time trying to refine her skills of negotiation in order to get what she wants. As a result I believe that she has learned that she cannot change everything that she does not like and she will not always get the answer that she wants. Therefore she has learnt the skill of acceptance.
So what have I learned from 2020? I have learned a few things. For example, I am not now nor will I ever be a good teacher. My children will not do anything for nothing, they learn early that every job has a price whether it be equated to TV time, chocolate or some other reward it is still agreed as payment. Roller skating is not like riding a bike. It turns out that muscle memory does not have a role to play with this particular skill and, although I have not yet fallen on my face, I inevitably will in the not too distant future when I attempt some of the more technical challenges such as turning a corner at speed.
Nothing lasts forever, situations and perceptions always change as we learn and grow. Accept what is out of your control. I like to feel like I am in control of my life, but this year has shown me that we can never be fully in control. There will always be variables which we cannot do anything about, so I have stopped worrying about the variables that I cannot change. I think this is why Christmas for me was a more relaxed experience this year. Que sera and all that, seems a good philosophy for 2020.
We seem to live in a very materialistic world. As a society we put too much emphasis on objects providing happiness in our lives. Whether that be gadgets, vehicles, home styling or designer handbags. In my experience this simply is not true.
What 2020 has highlighted to me was the importance of physical human contact. Now, anyone who knows me will know that I am not a big hugger. That being said, I have missed having the option to hug the people that are important to me. That does not mean that I am going to be going nuts and hugging everyone I meet when or if it becomes an option in the future but I do find myself longing for a time that I can physically express myself in a traditional way, even if it is a simple handshake.
Again, this is something that was highlighted by my children. They have really craved that contact with their grandparents and it has been just as difficult for the grandparents to maintain their composure when having to refuse. I am sure that it caused the grandparents physical pain to see the children and not be able to have any physical contact with them at times.
It has been a tough year and 2021 looks like it is going to be much the same initially but rather than focus on what we have missed out on this year, I am going to try my hardest to look at the positives.
Next year I will be in possession of an allotment so that will be a new exciting challenge for me which I am sure I will learn something from. Even if the lesson is that I do not possess green fingers and I am not capable of growing a prize winning marrow.
The most valuable asset that we all have is time. Take time out for yourself, take time out for your Mum, Dad, Nanna, Grandad, we all have someone in our lives that we take for granted. I know I do. So I hope to be able to take the time I have and show those that matter to me that I appreciate them. That for me, has been the biggest lesson of them all this year. What was yours?
Mumma Bear Roars 